Use the apostrophe with contractions. The apostrophe is always placed at the spot where the letter(s) has been removed. don ' t= do not isn ' t = is not You ' re = you are It ’ s= it is; it has
Use the apostrophe to show possession. Place the apostrophe before the s to show singular possession. one boy ' s hat one actress ' s hat Ms. Chang ' s house NOTE: names ending in s or an s sound add the second “s” in possessive form Mr. Jones ' s golf clubs Texas ' s weather Mrs. Lees ' s books (name is Lees)
Use the apostrophe where the noun that should follow is implied. This was his father ' s, not his, jacket.
To show plural possession, make the noun plural first. Then immediately use the apostrophe. two boys ' hats two actresses ' hats two children ' s hats- children is plural for child the Joneses ' golf clubs the Leeses ' books
Do not use an apostrophe for the plural of a name. We visited the Hogues in Yazoo, Mississippi. The Smiths have two cats and a dog.
With a singular compound noun, show possession with 's at the end of the word. my mother-in-law ' s hat my sister-in-law ’ s car
If the compound noun is plural, form the plural first and then use the apostrophe. my two brother s -in-law ' s hats my two sister s -in-law ’ s dogs
Use the apostrophe and “s” after the second name only if two people possess the same item. Clovis and Marie 's home is constructed of redwood. Clovis 's and Marie 's job contracts will be renewed next year. (Indicates separate ownership.) Clovis and Marie 's job contracts will be renewed next year. (Indicates joint ownership of more than one contract.)
Never use an apostrophe with possessive pronouns: his, hers, its, theirs, ours, yours, whose. They already show possession so they do not require an apostrophe. Correct: This book is hers, not yours. Incorrect: Sincerely your's.
The only time an apostrophe is used for it's is when it is a contraction for it is or it has. It's a nice day. It's been great getting to know you. The dog hide its bone in the backyard. (its here shows possession)
The plurals for capital letters and numbers used as nouns are not formed with apostrophes. She consulted with three M.D.s. BUT She went to three M.D.s' offices. (The apostrophe is needed here to show plural possessive.) She learned her ABCs. the 1990s not the 1990's the '90s or the mid-'70s not the '90's or the mid-'70's She learned her times tables for 6s and 7s.
Use apostrophes with capital letters and numbers when the meaning would be unclear otherwise. Please dot your i ' s. (You don't mean is.) Ted couldn't distinguish between his 6 ' s and 0 ' s. ( You need to use the apostrophe to indicate the plural of zero or it will look like the word Os. To be consistent within a sentence, you would also use the apostrophe to indicate the plural of 6's.)
Use the possessive case in front of a gerund (-ing word). Alex 's skat ing was a joy to behold. This does not stop Joan 's inspect ing of our facilities next Thursday.
If the gerund has a pronoun in front of it, use the possessive form of that pronoun. I appreciate your inviting me to dinner. I appreciated his working with me to resolve the conflict.
1. Its the first thing I see in the morning poking its head in the door. 2. "Threes Company" was a zany television show. 3. He wrote two rs in embarrass. 4. The player deliberately disobeyed his coaches instructions. (more than 1 coach)
5. Little girls clothing is on the first floor, and the mens department is on the second. 6. His two brother-in-laws cars are both in need of tires. 7. Brilees playing Wii has slacked some.
1. It’s the first thing I see in the morning poking its head in the door. 2. "Three’s Company" was a zany television show. 3. He wrote two r’s in embarrass. 4. The player deliberately disobeyed his coaches’ instructions. (more than 1 coach)
5. Little girls’ clothing is on the first floor, and the men’s department is on the second. 6. His two brothers-in-law’s cars are both in need of tires. 7. Brilee’s playing Wii has slacked some.